20 Aug 2024 --- Researchers at Cranfield University in England have developed two new ways to uncover sugar syrup adulteration in honey. These tests utilize light analysis, DNA barcoding and machine learning to enable fast and accurate detection of fake products in the UK. The honey sector is steadily swelling in the UK, with £89.8 million (US$ 115 million) worth of the commodity imported into the country in 2023. Honey fraud is also on the rise, with sweetening syrups added to dilute the pure form. According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, 46% of 147 honey samples tested were likely contaminated with low-cost plant syrups.
